Kissing Booth: Another Take

Chapter 24

Elle's POV

Dinner was a bittersweet affair. The whole gang was back together: Rachel and Lee, Chloe, Jake, Noah and I, and even Marco showed up.

I was seated between Marco and Noah with Lee across from me and it felt so nice to have all my guys in one place. I looked over to Marco with a smile on my face as he laughed at something Chloe was saying to him. It was nice to have him close. It seemed like maybe the party had done a good job at making things a little easier on him. At least, I hoped so.

I put my elbow on the table and leaned my head against it, my other hand going onto Marco's arm to touch it. He looked over to me with a smile. "What's up Elle?"

"Just happy to have you around."

He threw an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him, giving me a kiss on the head. "Guess I just couldn't stay away," I was relieved to hear the laughter in his voice as opposed to sadness.

I looked over to Noah who seemed unshaken by their interaction, discussing something animatedly with Jake and Chloe.

"You'll have to tell me all about Liza," I pulled away to wiggle my eyebrows at Marco.

Marco rolled his eyes. "She went back to San Francisco. To her dorm room..." he stated slowly.

My eyebrows went up. "A college girl? Eh? The OMGs and the rest of the LA County Day school female population will be devastated."

He laughed at my suggestion. "If they hadn't already figured out there was only one girl at school I would date then they were probably a little too dumb for me anyways."

I blushed at the admission.

He shrugged, "Oh come on Elle, it's never been a secret."

I still didn't know what to say and gave a nervous glance to Noah who still seemed indifferent to Marco's conversation with me.

Marco followed my gaze and smiled. "He's actually a really good guy, Elle. As long as he makes you happy I'm man enough to accept that," he pulled me back into hug. "But if he ever messes up..." he whispered lightheartedly into my ear.

I laughed and pushed him away, his own laughs intermingling with mine. In this moment, I had everything and everyone that I wanted in my life and my heart felt so full.

"Marco," Chloe called from across the table. "What are your plans for next year?"

Marco leaned back in his chair again. I held my hand out, this time to make sure he didn't tip over.

"Marco's a bit of a wanderer," Lee spoke for Marco.

Marco smiled, "I think I'm going to take a gap year actually. Travel a bit."

Chloe looked impressed. "Well if you need any travel suggestions you just let me know," she offered with a smile, "Put in your number," she handed her phone over.

Marco looked surprised but eagerly grabbed the phone to put in his number.

Jake, Noah, and I all looked at each other grinning at his false hopefulness.

"Oh!" I suddenly exclaimed, "I actually need your number too Chloe," I passed my phone over. Chloe looked a bit confused but took my phone anyways. I already had her number.

"Me too!" Rachel searched in her purse for her phone before sliding it over to Chloe.

Chloe looked down to my screen and read a simple message I had just sent to her.